This essay was inspired by an article by Steve Thorp, Life as a River, which was recently published in Unpsychology #10. The first two sections are beautifully written by Steve. Hopefully, the rest of the essay is acceptable.
LIFE STORY AS GROWTH:
born as potential; growing to learn;
learning to grow; negotiating stages;
finding talents; searching for soul; being
authentic; being enough; doing stuff;moving on up; soul mating; portfolio build-
ing; potential reaching; meaning making;goal arriving; secret unveiling; world
saving. Wanting. Needing. Dying.
Travelling on into some eternal future.
Spirit.
LIFE STORY AS RIVER:
born as a trickle somewhere high; rivuletstumbling, joining, merging; deepening; flow-
ing; eroding; carrying; enabling; life-giving;life sharing; rushing downstream; leaping
upriver; going with the flow; swimming
against the current; finding islands in a storm;
flooding with life; drying up; survivingdrought; broadening out; enriching; a conflu-
ence of waters reaching the ocean. Breachingthe salt. Sedimentary
to the end. Ripples.
It makes a difference which metaphors we use for Life. Life is Growth and Life is a River paint two quite different pictures. Both are useful metaphors but neither one is my favorite.
The rest of this essay was written with a lot of help from ChatGPT, and with apologies to Steve.
Life is Growth
fueled by nourishment; sinking deep roots; seeking light; reaching for the sky; thriving; struggling; bearing fruit.
Life is a River
sometimes a torrent; sometimes drying up; twisting and turning; stopped by a dam; unstoppable; overflowing banks; clear or muddy.
Life is a Garden
I asked ChatGPT to rewrite my rough draft and this was the result.
Everything begins with a seed, tiny yet full of potential. The possibilities of these seeds are boundless; some sprout into vibrant vegetables, while others blossom into beautiful flowers. Some grow tall as trees, while others remain humble shrubs, each contributing uniquely to the garden’s tapestry. Some gardens are meticulously manicured, reflecting careful planning and cultivation, while others thrive in wild abandon, embracing the beauty of nature’s chaos.
Yet gardens face challenges, vulnerable to the encroachment of weeds and pests. The gardener's role can vary widely—from a highly skilled nurturer to someone who merely maintains the space. A garden may find refuge within the protective walls of a greenhouse or stand exposed to the whims of the elements, illustrating how external conditions can shape growth and resilience.
Context is crucial. A tropical garden cannot endure a harsh Canadian winter, just as rhubarb cannot flourish in the heat of Mexico. The diversity of life, like a garden, relies on the interplay of environment, care, and the inherent potential within each seed. Ultimately, life, like a garden, is a delicate balance of nurturing, resilience, and adaptation, reminding us that our individual journeys are shaped by both our choices and our circumstances.
Life is a Journey
I asked ChatGPT to rewrite my rough draft and this was the result.
Life is filled with numerous paths and diverse destinations, each offering unique experiences and opportunities for growth. Some routes are well-charted on maps, while others lead us down unmarked trails, filled with mystery and potential. We travel in various ways—by bicycles, boats, and jets—each mode offering its own perspective on the world around us.
Along the way, we encounter crossroads and detours, moments that challenge us to make choices and embrace change. There are signposts to guide us and landmarks to remind us of where we’ve been, and, thankfully, bridges that help us navigate obstacles, connecting us to new horizons.
And what is a journey without a traveling companion? The relationships we forge along the way enrich our experiences, providing support, laughter, and shared memories. Together, we navigate the twists and turns of life, making the journey not just about the destination, but about the connections and adventures we share.
Pick your metaphor.
Life is a Canvas
Life is a Symphony
Life is a Game
Life is a Dance
Life is a Kaleidoscope
Life is a Puzzle
Life is a Mystery
And metaphors can be exotic.
Life is a Journey through a Multiverse
And my favorite... written by ChatGPT
Life is a Story.
Each of us is the author of our own narrative, crafting a unique tale filled with characters, conflicts, and resolutions. From the moment we take our first breath, we begin to write the chapters of our lives, each experience adding depth and richness to the plot. The setting of our story is shaped by the people we meet, the places we visit, and the events we encounter. Just as a good book captures our imagination, our life story weaves together a tapestry of moments that define who we are and who we aspire to be.
As we navigate the twists and turns of our journey, we face challenges that test our resilience and shape our character. There are moments of triumph and heartbreak, joy and sorrow, laughter and tears—each serving as a plot device that propels our story forward. Just like any compelling narrative, our lives are filled with unexpected twists that lead us to new discoveries about ourselves and the world around us. These experiences, whether joyous or difficult, contribute to the overall arc of our story, teaching us valuable lessons and helping us grow along the way.
In the end, life is a story not just of individual experiences, but of connections and relationships. The characters we choose to surround ourselves with play pivotal roles in our narrative, adding depth, complexity, and meaning to our journey. As we share our stories with others, we create a shared tapestry of human experience, one that transcends time and place. Ultimately, life is a story waiting to be told, an ever-evolving narrative that invites us to reflect on our past, embrace our present, and anticipate the unwritten chapters that lie ahead.
And the Life of John Stokdijk is a story slowly being told on my website with, hopefully, many more chapters to come.